Cigar-marking machine.



No. 709,360. Patented Sept'. I6,`` |902.

F. H. RICHARDS. CIGAR MARKING MACHINE.

(Application led Jan. 2, 1901.)

(nunmal.) 5 sheets-sheet No.{7o9,360'. Patented sept.. le, |902.-

F. H. mcmxrms.`

CIGAR MARKING MACHINE.

(Appliation filed Jan. 2, 1901.)

No. 709,360. Patented sept. I6, |902.`

f F. H. RICHARDS.

CIGAR MARKING MACHINE.

: l (Application filed Jan. 2, 1901.)

" (No Model.) A 5 Sheets-Sheef 3,

No. 709,360; f l Patented Sept. I6, |5302."

F; H. RICHARDS.

CIGAB MARKINGAMACHINE.

(Application filed Jan. 2, 1901.)

(NoI Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet f4.

No. 709,360.- AMamma sept. "5,1902.

` F. H. RICHARDS. GIGAB MARKING MACHINE.

4 V (Application led Jau. 2, 19 1.) y (no man.) 5 sheets-sheet 5,

'N-rrnn TATES FFICE" FRANCIS H. RICHARDS, OF HARTFORU, CONNECTICUT.

CIGAR-MARK|NG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 709,360, dated September 16, 1902.

i Application iledJannary 2, 1901. Serial No. 41,832. (No model-l cation.

This invention relates to improvements inl marking-machines', and relatesmore particularly to machines for printing upon cigars or other fragile articles `having a curved or irregular surface.

In the drawings accompanying this specilication, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a machine made according to my present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged View similar to Fig. 2 of the printing and ink-supplying mechanisms, together with a portion of the carrier.- Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial vertical section on the line d ct of Fig. 1A looking from the left, showing the printing mechanism in another position from thatillustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line b b of Fig. 1 looking from the right, showing the upper portion of the machine. Fig. 6 is a partial elevation looking in the opposite-direction the different figures of the drawings. i

from Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a perspective of a support between the carriers. Fig. 8 is atop plan view ofthe ink-receiver. Fig. 9 is a cen tral vertical section thereof. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of aportion of the carrier. Fig.`11 is a partial perspective of the printing-strip andits support. Fig. 12 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 13 isasimilar view of the same while making an impression, and Fig. 14 shows a cigar with an impression as printed upon it by this machine.

Similar characters designate like parts in `My improved machine comprises a supporting-frame, (designated in a general way by F,) consisting ofsid e4 frames 10 10, preferably connected by transverse `rods 12,V having threaded ends passing through openings therein and secured by check-nuts 13, bearing against eachside of the frame, and by cross-bars 11i 14, bolted to the top of the side frames. These bars also have preferably restx ing upon and secured to them a frame F, in

which is mounted the marking or printing mechanism, the sides 15 l5 of which may be similarly held in place by transverse rods 16.

In the frame F is located the driving mechanism, which may consist of a treadle 17, secured upon a transverse shaft 18, situated in the lower portion of the frame, at one end of which is fastened an arm 19, connected by pitman 2 0 to a crank 21 upon one end of the countershaft 22, which preferably carries at its opposite end a balance-wheel 23. The counter shaft may have secured to it a sprocket-wheel 24, which a chain 25 connects to a main actuating-shaft 26, journaled transversely in the frame F. Although foot mechanism has been described for actuating this machine, it will be seen that power could be otherwise applied by belt or similar gearing, if desired-as, for example, through a pulley 26 on shaft 26. As the driving mechanism should be rot-ated in one direction only to give the proper movement to the various elements of the machine, it may be held against opposite movement by a pawl 23', pivoted upon one of the frames 10 and engaging a ratchet-Wheel 23, fast upon the shaft 22.

Upon the top of the front of frame F is mounted a table T, preferably of wood, comprising a center portion 27, side wings 28 28, and the inclined feed-shelf 29. Below the table are journaled in the frame, in substantially the same horizontal plane, shafts 30 31, each provided with two sprocket-wheels 32, having an edge projecting slightly above the level of the table portion 27. Over the wheels 32 run carrier-chains 33 33, the links of which between the openings for the teeth are formed with projections 34, furnishing seats, to which are secured pieces 35, having forked projections 3G 37, the first of which is straight and nearly vertical, being slightly inclined toward the front of the table, and the other is curved toward the rear, so that it extends above the top of the projection 36 of the next rearward link when the chain is straight. This forms a series of depressions in a practically contin nous surface, and these depres sions in the two chains are in transverse aliement to receive a cigar or other object and support it across the table. Anintermittent rearward movement is given the chains over the surface of the table,preferably by a cam 38, formed substantially as shown in Fig. 2 and carried by the shaft 26, lwhich two cranks is such that 64 in its revolution cam may contact with an antifriction-roll 39 upon an angle-lever 40, the end of one arm of which is pivotally connected at 4l to the frame F', while the end of the other arm has pivoted to it a pawl 42. This pawl engages a ratchet-Wheel 43, preferably rotating upon a stub-shaft 44, fixed on the frame F', said 'ratchet-wheel having secured to it a gear 45 to rotate therewith on the same shaft. This gear in turn meshes with a 'pinion 30' on the sprocket-wheel shaft 30. A spiral spring 47 y of suitable strength extends from the frame F' to a pin 49 on the lever 40, and a spring 48 -extends from this pin to the pawl to hold the antifriction-roll on the lever normally against the cam and maintain the pawl in contact with the ratchet-wheel. It will be seen that by this mechanism the cam will in rotation act upon the ratchet mechanism and intermittently move the carrier-chains over the table an amount controlled by the contour of the cam and the ratio of the gears.

To retain the carrier-chains in position d uring the backward movement of the pawl, a brake may be provided, preferably consisting of long and short bars' 50 5l of wood screwed together to embrace the shaft 30 and have some frictional contact therewith, bar also contacting with one of the transverse bars 16 or some other portion of the frame, the brake acting with constant pressure To adjust the tension of the carrier-chains, the shaft 3l may be journaled in boxes 5l', sliding in longitudinal slots in the frame F', said boxes being engaged by screws 52, mounted at the ends of the slots.

head 53 extends a rod 56, sliding freely in a Located above the portion 27 of the table is the marking or printing device,(designated as a whole by P.) This preferably consists of the s upporting member or head 53,pivotal1y supported by an arm54, which is in tu rn mounted on a short shaft 55, journaled in the righthand portion of the frame F', which frame extends above the opposite side, leaving the device Pand other mechanism attached to it easy of access. From the upper side of the guide 57, which tnay be mounted to rock upon a boss 58 on the top of the frame. The printing device has a movement alternately toward and from the table and toward and from a mechanism for supplying a marking material orink, to be hereinafter described, it being oscillated and reciprocated relatively to the table and oscillated and reciprocated relatively to the supplying device. To effect this movement, the shaft 55 carries a pinion 59, turning upon it to a certain extent for a purpose to be later decribed, but still arranged to rotate with it. Meshing with the pinion 59 is a gear 60, secured to a short. shaft 6l, which'is journal'edin the frame F' near the shaft 55 and carries' at its opposite end a crank 62, from which a connectingrod extends to a shorter crank 64 on the adjacent endof the main actuatin g-shaft 26. The relative length of these will throw 62 but a part of a turn, and the gear and pinion will be rotated to oscillate the end of the arm 54 through an arc corresponding substantially to the angular dis'- tance between the object to be marked and the surface or surfaces carrying the marking material. The organization and adjustment of the cranks and connected parts, together with the arm-rod 56 and guide 57, direct the movement ofthe head, first backward toward the inking-surfac'e and then withdraws it and brings it down toward the table and carrier upon the objects, to be marked. To permit adjustment of the length of the printing stroke or reciprocation without changing the inking strokeor reciprocation or interfering with the cranks or their connecting-arm, a yielding connection is preferably provided between the arm 54 and its gearing. To secure this, the pinion 59 may carry fixed to the side adjoining the arm a disk or plate 65, which has secured to it by `a pin or boss 66V upon its inner face a curved spring 67, having at its free end a hook 68, engaging a pin 69 upon the arm. The arm 54also has projecting from it at or near the end opposite the head 53 another arm 70, and a detent or lug 7l is cast with or secured to the frame F in the path of this projection. A set-screw 72, threaded through one of these members and contacting with the other, serves to adjust the range of printing movement of the head. A pin 73 in the arm 70 moves in a groove 74 in the edge of the plate 65, and against one end of this groove the pin is normally held `by the spring. Upon the set-screw coming in contact with its detent 71 the arm 70 will necessarily not only be stopped, but arm 54 and the head also. At some positions of adjusttuent the pinion 59 will not have reached its limit of oscillation, and the spring connection will then permit the gearsto continue without further movement of-the printing-head. 'lhe head is adapted to receive one or more printing-heads, (designated in a general way by 75,) preferably a plurality and shown herein as three, having projections 76 upon blocks 77,`which may conveniently be of wood. Setscrews 78 secure the blocks in place and admit of their being'properly positionedand adjusted. To each end of the block 77 is secured a plate 78', and' to the outer end of each plate is pivoted a swinging plate 79 upon a pin 79', said plate carrying u pon its in ner side a lever- `arm 80, extending transversely therefrom,

each of these having preferably pivotally connected to it an arm 8l, these being pivoted together and'connected by a swinging arm 8l' to a lug 82 upon one of theplates 78', thus forming a compound lover system, the lever-plates 79 moving together uniformly. This organization of the parts forms a compound lever system or linkage, each end of the strip being supported by a linkage having somewhat the analogy of atoggle-joint, and the transverse arms of the plates are cou- ICD IIO

nected by a linkage having such analogy,

` i each end of the marking-strip being held by `dence or unison.

such a linkage and the ends through the linkages and their connection together being constrained to have a movement in coinci- At the outer end of each plate 79 is provided a slot 83, through which pass the ends of a strip 84 of flexible material, preferably rubber or fabric covered with rubber, bearing raised characters 85, suitable for making the impression. The strip is herein shown held in place by a small sliding plate 86, which carries a set-screw 87, passing through a slot 88 in the plate 79 and securing the sliding plate upon it. These plates 86, pressing the ends of the printing-strip against the wall of i the slot 83, serve to clamp it firmly in position.

. zation being such that the characters coming in contact with the object being marked do not move from the position of initial contact and the entire face of the strip may be brought into contact. If found desirable in practice, the device may be constructed to wrap the strip entirely around the object, which may be accomplished without distorting the strip or blurring the impressions produced.

To hold the objects to be markedagainst the pressure of the printing-strips, a support S may be provided between the carriers, having a stem 89 passing through the table and adjustably secured in an opening in a lug 90 on the frame by a set-screw 91. This support has upon its upper surface one or more elevations 92, corresponding in number to the printing-strips and registering therewithduring the impression, uponA whichthe object to be marked may rest. i

To supply ink or other desired marking material for the printing-strips, a reservoir or tank 93 is mounted in the upper rear portion of the frame, shown as secured to aboss i thereon and provided with a feed-opening 94 i on the sides thereof.

and a plunger 95 for forcing the ink through .the opening. This plunger is carried upon the end of the screw 96, threaded through a cross-bar 97, which is secured `upon the top of thetauk by bolts 97', engaging lugs 9S 9S Inthe opening of the tank is situateda feed-roll 99, and a scraper 100, sliding in grooves in the bottom of the tank and adjustable in position by screws 101, controls the amount of ink which the roll is `permitted to carry on its surface.

To furnisha supply or ink-distributing surface for the printing-strip, a series of rolls 102, corresponding in number to the printingstrips and here shown as formed of wood and provided with circumferential strips of rubber 103 iu the plane of the printing-strips to receive the ink, are mounted to rotate upon 'stub-shafts 104, secured in alinement upon the frame F between the reservoir and the device P. These rolls each carry a pinion 105, secured to theirouter end, meshing with that adjacent thereto. One of these pinions has rotating with it a pinion 106, which meshes with a gear 107, free to rotate on the shaft 26, and secured to the inner face of this gear is a ratchet-wheel 108. Adjacent to the ratchet-wheel and also turning on shaft 26 is a plate 109, carrying pawl110, pressed against the ratchet-wheel by a spring. on the plate a connectingr0d 111 leads to a wrist-pin on the gear 60. As this gear is oscillated to actuate the printing device it thereby intermittently rocks the plate 109 and rotates the rolls 102 to present fresh inkingsurfaces to the printing-strips. i A spring-detent 112, secured to the frame F and engaging the teeth of gear 107 serves to retain the supply-rolls in a stationary position while the strips are in contact with them.

To regulate the amount of ink which shall remain upon the surfaces 103, means are preferably provided for pressing these surfaces upon the two outer rolls 102 more` or less firmly against the center roll. To effect this, the outer shaf ts 104 may carry eccentrics 104', operating in corresponding openings in the frame, t-hese being turned for adjustment by a squaredbd portion at their outer ends and secured by check-nuts 104", bearing against the outside of the frame.

To convey the ink from the feed-roll to the From a pinf" supply-roll and atthe same time to thoroughly mix and distribute it, one or more rolls 113, (herein shown as two in number,) having circumferential strips 114, corresponding to 103, in contact with each other, are mounted to rotate in an arm 115, pivoted to the frame F at 116. One of these rollsis normally held in contact Withthe center roll 102 by means here shown as a spiral spring 117, securedrto the arm and to a stud upon the frame F', while the other is intermittently moved into contact with the feed-roll 99 by a cam 118, secured to the shaft 26 and preferably operating against an antifriction-roll 119 upon the arm. The rolls 113 carry pinions 120, meshing together, and when the roll is in contact with the supply-roll with the pinion 105 thereon, by which they are rotated to mixand distribute the ink. The feed-roll may be intermittently rotated by a pawl 121, pivoted near the top of the arm 115 and pressed by a spring `116 into engagement with the teeth of a ratchet-wheel122 at the inner end of the feed-roll. To retainthe feed-roll in position IIO of which extend clamping-screws 127 into the shelf. Between the guides 124 124 may be provided slightly-raised ways 124' 124', (shown in Fig. 1,) over which ways the cigars are fed, such ways forming supports for the ends thereof and inducing them to roll evenly toward the carrier. T o the table 27 are secured two pairs of blocks-12S. The pair nearest the feed-shelf are shown as each provided with an opening, through which projects an arm 129, which arms on each side carry an adjustable guide 129", each situated in substantial continuation longitudinally of the machine, with one of the guides 124 and beneath such guides vertically. Screws 130 draw the parts ofthe blocks together and secure the guides in place. The rearward pair of blocks 128 are provided each with an upward extension 128', which is split and has an opening as in the main portion of the block to receive an arm 128", from which a spring 129 extends substantially horizontally over as many of the grooves in the carrier-chainsas are beneath the printing-strips. The pressure of lthese springs serves to retain the objects in the grooves in place duringthe impression.

To regularly carry the articles to be marked from the feed-shelf into the depressions in the carrier, a mechanism is provided which may consist of horizontally-extending arms 131 131, located above and on each side of the car-` rier-chains, each pivoted at one end to an arm 132, depending from a shaft 133, journaled transversely of the table 27 in suitable supports 134. The arm 131 has a plurality of iingers 135 upon its under side corresponding in number to the printing-strips. Upon the shaft 133 is a third depending arm 136, to which is pivoted a bar or rod 137, formed at its opposite. end with a fork 138, embracing shaft 26 and being supported thereby. An antifriction-roll 139 is mounted upon the bar, with its edge adapted to contact with a cam 140 upon the shaft 26, it being held against it by a spring 141, coiled about and secured to the shaft 133, with its free end'pressing against one of the supports 134,- so that it is under tension. Projecting from one of the arms 131 vis a lateral pin 142. Adjacent to this pin is a guide-block 143, preferably provided with a curved or inclined upper and a straight under face, pivoted at one end upon a rod 144, projecting froma support 145 at one side of the table, and normally lying with aslight rearward incline and with its-free end supported by the end of a rod 146, also projecting from the supporty 145. A spring 147, coiled about one of the rods, may serve to press the guide downward upon its stop.

At or near the center of the lower end of the feed-shelf is a gate or stop device consisting of a, plate'148, pivoted at its out-er end toa slightly-raised incline 149 and being I pressed upward against a pin 150 thereon by a spring 151 beneath it. At its rearward end is an inclined projection 152, lying in the path and positioned that while the carrier is station- Aary the lingers 135 engage the proper number of articles, which lie side by side upon the shelf, the lower one resting against the stop projection, and draw them rearwardly into the depressions in the carrier, the gate yielding to permit the movement. This feeding operation carries the pin 142 under the guideblock in contactwith its lower face, said block turning on its pivot to permit the passage of the pin. .Then as the carrier moves toward the marking device the arms 131 are moved back toward the feed-shelf by their connections, the pin riding up the incline on the guide-block and falling olf at the other end, when the fingers again engage the articles upon the shelf and the operation is repeated. It willbe seen that the feed-arms are given both a horizontal and vertical, or what might be termed a compound, movement. Above the gate may be situated a guide-plate 153, preferably of metal, adjustably supported as to height upon the cross-bar 154, moving upon uprights 155 at each side of the table and clamped in position thereon by screws 156. This plate forms, with the gate, a channel through which the articles fed are drawn, keeping-them in proper position and preventing them from riding over one another.

In proximity to the rear end of the carrierchains a chute 157 is supported by an arm 158, screwed to one of the rods 16.

In the operation of the machine, power being applied to rotate thedriving-shaft at the desired speed, the cigars or other articles to bemarked or printed are placed in a row by the operator between the guides 124, when they roll down the inclined lshelf upon the ways until checked by the projection upon the gate, from which they will be drawn in proper numbers by the feeder-arm into the depressions in the carrier. They will then be moved toward the rear of the machine, and when the number corresponding to the number of printing-strips have arrived over the elevations upon the intermediate support the carrier will be automatically stopped by its cam mechanism until the printing device, actuated by its crank mechanism, has descended and made the impression, the ilexible printing-strip wrapping itself about the cigar witha uniform pressure and printing the characters upon it, as is illustrated in Fig. 14 of the drawings. The printing device now rises, while the carrier moves the printed cigars to the chute 157and when the depressions in the. chains turn and descend over the wheels they roll over the curved projections 37 and falling into the chute are delivered to' a suitable receptacle. In the meanwhile the printing device has moved toward the supply or inking rolls and pressed the characters on the type-strips against them, preparing them for fresh impression,

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and then While the printing device is moving back for said impression the feed-roll and intermediate carrier-rolls are rotated and the latter moved against the supply-roll to deliver a further quantity of ink. The contact of thel printing-strips with both the cigars and the su pply-rolls occurs at such times ,y as the movable arm carrying the printing device is substantially parallel to the planes in which the cigars and rolls lie. Therefore the impression will be made with each when the strips are moving directly toward the Without sensible lateral movement.

It Will be seen that after the cigars are delivered to the feed-shelf the operation of the machine is entirely automatic, save that the plunger-screvvof the reservoir must be turned occasionally to keep the ink under proper pressure.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. In a marking machine, the combination, With an intermittently-movable carrier,- of intermittently-movable means for supplying marking material; and a marking device located adjacent thereto and eeetive to oscillate and to reciprocate toward and from each of said elements, the reciprocation lrelative to each element occurring at the intermission of movement of such element.

2. In a marking-machine, the combination, with a carrieradapted to support a plurality of objects to be marked, of means for supplying marking material; and a marking device located adjacent thereto comprising a plurality of sets of characters and effective to oscillate and to move toward the markingmaterial supply and to oscillate and 1o move i toward the carrier.

`means for supplying marking material; and

y a marking device located adjacent thereto comprising aplurality of sets of characters and effective to oscillate and to move toward the marking-material supply and the carrier.

4. In a marking-machine, the combination with an intermittently-movablecarrier, of a marking device located adjacent thereto and effective to move toward said carrier, and a brake operating with constant and unvarying pressure in connection with said carrier.

5. In amarking-machine, the combination, with an intermittentlymovable carrier, of means for supplying marking material; a marking device located adjacent thereto and effective to` move toward each of said elements; ratchet mechanism geared to the carrier; and a cam coacting with 'the pawl thereof for actuating the same.

6. In a marking-machine, the combination with a carrier, of a marking device located adjacent thereto and effective to move toward the carrier, and a support for the object to be marked adjacent to the carrier andnormally out of contact with such object but effective to support the same upon pressure being applied thereto by the marking device.

7. In a marking-machine, the combination With a carrier, of a marking device located adjacent thereto and effective to move toward the carrier, and an adjustable support for the object to be marked adjacent to the carrier and normally out of contact With such object but effective to support the same upon pressure being applied thereto by the marking device.

8. In a marking-machine, the combination:

with a marking device and a carrier adapted to hold in single tile longitudinally thereof the objects to be marked; of a feed-shelf adjacent to said carrier; and automatic means for delivering longitudinally to the carrier at one operation a plurality of objects to be marked.

9. In a marking-machine, the combination Wit-h a markingdcvice adapted to mark a plurality of objects and a carrier adapted to feed in single tile longitudinally thereof the objects to be marked; of a feed-shelf adjacent to said carrier; and automatic means adapted to deliver longitudinally to the carrier at one operation a plurality of objects to be marked.

10. In a marking-machine,the combination, With a marking device and a carrier, of a feedshelf adjacent to said carrier; a movable stop cooperating with said feed-shelf to support the objects to be marked; and means for moving said objects from contact with the stop onto the carrier.

1l. In a marking-machine,the combination, with a marking device and a carrier, of a feedshelf adjacent to said carrier; a movable stop operating in connection with said feed-shelf; means for moving objects to be marked from contact with the stop ont-o the carrier; and a guide-plate located above the stop.

l2. In a marking-macl1ine,the combination, with a marking device and a carrier, of a feedshelf adjacent lo said carrier; a feed-arm for moving objects to be marked onto the carrier; and a pivoted guide for raising said arm upon its return movement.

13. A feeder, comprising a movable stop; a feed-arm adapted to Withdraw objects from contact with said stop; and meanscomprising a crank-arm, a reciprocating arm and a pivoted guide-block for imparting a compound movement to the feed-arm.

14:. In a marking-machine, the combination with a support for an object t-o be marked; means for supplying marking material; a marking device effective to oscillate and to reciprocate toward and from each of said elements; a sliding rod; a rocking guide traversed thereby; and means for regulating the length of reciprocation toward and from one of said elements.

l5. In a marking-machine, the combination with means for holding an object to be marked, of means for supplying marking material; a marking device effective to oscillate and to IZO place While the arm issubstantially parallel.

.to the objects to be marked.

` 17. Thecombinatiomwithamarkingdevice having a plurality of marking means and av support for theobjects to be marked, of a movable arm for actuating said device; and a plurality of means for supplying marking material provided With-distributing-surfaces so situated that the arm is substantially parallel thereto during the contact of the'pri nting device thereon.

18. In a marking-machi ne, the combination with a carrier, of means for supplying marking material; a marking device located adjacent thereto and eective to oscillate and to reciprocate toward and from each ofsaid elements, and means for regulating the length of reciprocation toward and from one of said elements.

19. In a marking-machine, the combination with a carrier; of means for supplying marking material; a marking device located adjacent thereto and effective to oscillate and to reciprocate toward and from each of said elements, and means for regulating the length of reciprocation toward and from only one of said elements.

20. In a marking-machine, the combination with a carrier, of means for suppl'yingmarking material; a marking device located adjacent thereto and effective to oscillate andk to reciprocate toward and from each of said elements, and means comprising an overgear device, for regulating the length of reciprocation toward and from one of said elements.

2l. The combination of a marking device, an oscillating support for carrying the marking device; a movable `.arm upon which the support is mounted; an oscillating plate in proximity thereto; and means connecting the said arm land plate consisting of a spring.

22. The combination with a marking device and an oscillating support therefor, of a movable member upon which the supportis mounted; an oscillating melnber in proximity thereto; a yieldable connection between the movable Amember and oscillating member; and a stop for the movable member.

23. The combination,witha marking device and a support for the object to be marked, of a movable member upon Which said device is mounted; an'oscillating mechanism in proximity thereto; a yieldable connection betweenV said movable member andoscillating member; a stop for said movable member; and an adjustable contact device between the member and the stop.

24. The combination with a marking device and an oscillating support therefor, of a movable arm upon which the support is mounted; an oscillating plate in proximity thereto; and a springsecuredl to the plate and capable of contacting with the arm.

25. Thecombination,withamarkingdevice and a support for the object to be marked,ot' a movable member upon which said device is mounted; an oscillating mechanism in proximity thereto; a yieldable connection between said movable member and oscillating mechanism; and means for adjustablylimiting the amount of movement of the member independently of the oscillating mechanism.

26. A marking device, comprising a supportingmember; a flexible marking-strip; and a lever system for connecting each end of the strip to the supporting member.

27. A marking'device, comprising a supporting mem ber; flexible marking means; and a compound lever for connecting each end of the strip to the supporting member, said le vers being connected to each other.

2S. A marking device, comprising a supporting member; a flexible strip provided with characters; compound levers for connecting the ends of the strip to the su pportingA member, said levers being connected to each other; and a connection between said compound levers and the supporting member.

29. The combination with a head carryinga plurality of marking devices, of a feeder comprising areservoir; an openingtherein; supply -rolls corresponding in number to the marking devices and adapted to receive the marking material from the reservoir; means for adjusting said supply-rolls toward and from each other; and means effective to bring the marking devices into contact with the supply-rolls. 30. The combination with amarking-head carrying a plurality of marking devices, and

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a feeder comprising a reservoir; an opening therein; supply-rolls corresponding in'number to the number of marking devices; of an eccentric support for adjusting said supplyrolls toward and from each other; and means effective to bring the marking devices into contact with the supply-rolls.

31. In amarking-machine,the combination, with a marking device, driving means therefor, means for supplying marking material and a carrier, of a driving-shaft carrying means to actuate the -marking device and carrier; and'mechanism operative through the marking-deVice-driving means for actuating the supply means.

32. Inamarkingmachine,the combination, with a markingdevice, driving means therefor, means forsupplying marking material and a carrier, of a driving-shaft carrying means to actuate the marking device continuously and the carrier intermittently; and mechanism operated by the marking-devicedriving means for actuating the supply means.

33. Inamarking-machine,`thecombination, l ends of said compound lever at one end and with a marking device, driving means therefor, means for supplying markingr material and a carrier, of a driving-shaft carrying means t'o actuate the marking device continuously andthe carrier intermittently; and mechanism operated b v the marking-devicedriving means foractuating the supply means intermittently.

34; Inamarking-machine,thecombination, with a marking device, means for supplying markingmaterial and a carrier, ot' a driving- Shaf't carrying a crank to actuate the marking device; and a cam contacting with ratchet mechanism to intermittently actuate the carrier.

35. In a marking-machine, the combination, with a marking device, means for supplying marking material and a carrier, of a drivingshaft carrying means to actuate the marking device; and a crank connection with ratchet mechanism to intermittently actuate the supply means.

36. In a marking-machine, the combination,

\ with a marking device, of a carrier comprising links provided with arms adapted to su pport the objectt to be marked', one of said arms extending over that of thelinknext adjacent.

37. In a marking-machine, the combination, with a marking device, of a carrier comprisinglinks provided Willi arms adapted to support the object to be marked, one of' said arms being substantially straight and the other curved.

38. Achain, comprising links provided with arms, one of said arms adapted to ext end over that of the link next adjacent.

39. A chain comprising links provided with seats to which are secured pieces having forked projections, one of which projections is straight. and slightly inclined, and the other of which projections is curved in the opposite direction.

40. In a marking-machine having oppositely-located side frames, one of which extends above the other, the combination with marking means, of means for supplying marking material thereto, upon Which extension the marking and supplying means are located and wholly supported.

41. A machine for marking curved objects, comprising a flexible marking-strip and yieldable means, constrained to yield in unison, supporting such strip at each end.

42. In a marking-machine, a flexible marking-strip; a supporting member therefor; and a system of levers connecting said markingstrip to said member and embracing compound levers supporting each end of said strip.

43. A marking device comprising asupporting member; a flexible marking-strip; a compound lever connected to each end of the strip; and a link connected to the opposite to said supporting means at the` other end.

44. A markingdevice comprising a support.- ing member; a flexible marking-strip; a compound lever connected at one end to the end of each strip; and means for constraining said levers to move in unison.

45. A marking device comprisinga supporting member; a flexible marking-strip; a compound lever connected at one end to the end of each strip; and a link pivoted to the ends of said levers. t

46. Amarking device comprising a supporting member; a marking-strip; plates pivoted to said supporting member and-securing the respective ends of the marking-strip; arms extending transversely from said plates; and a linkpivoted at one end to said supporting means and at the other end to links pivoted respectively to said transverse levers.

47. In a marking device, the combination of a su pporting member having side plates extendingtherefrom; plates pivoted to the ends of the side plates; a system of compound levers connecting said plates to one end of an arm pivoted to one of said side plates 5; and a marking-strip carried by said pivoted plates.

48. Ina marking device, a supporting member; a marking-strip; plates pivoted to said supporting member and carrying at their free ends, the ends of the marking-strip; a compound lever connected to the respective plates; and an arm uniting the ends of said levers and connecting them to the Asupporting means.

49. In a marking device, the combination of a supporting member; side plates projecting therefrom; a plate pivotally supported by the free end of each of said side plates;a marking-strip carried by the ends of said pivoted plates; arms projecting transversely from said pivoted plates; and alink pivoted t-o the free end of each of said transverse arms, said links being pivoted together.

50. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting means; a marking means; and a pair of toggle connections between said marking means and supporting means.

5l. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting means; a flexible markingstrip; and a pair of toggle connections between said marking-strip and supporting means.

52. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting means; a flexible markingstrip; a pair of toggle connections to which said strip is secured; and shiftable means for connecting said toggle connections with the supporting means.

53. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting means; a flexible markingstrip; a linkage connected to said supporting means and to each end of said marking-strip and a linkage connecting said linkages together and to the supporting means.

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54. In a marking-machine, the combination of a marking means; and asystem of linkage adapted to permit the marking means to bend r and effective to constrain the ends thereof to `5 so bend in unison.

55. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting means; a -exible markingstrip; and means effective upon the contact of any portion of the marking means with the object to be marked, for constraining both ends of the marking means to move in unison. 56. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting means; a iiexible markingstrip; and means embodying a system of linkages for making the ends bend in unison. 57. In a marking-machine, the combination of a yieldable marking-strip; and means effective upon the contact ofany portion of the marking means with the object to be marked, for causing the ends of said strip to yield in unison.

58. In amarking-machine, thecombination of a yieldable marking-strip; and means ernbodying a system of linkage for constraining the endsy to move in unison.

59. In a marking-machine, the combination ofayieldable markingmeans; and means comvprising a system of linkage after the analogy ofv toggles for constraining the ends to yield 1n unison.

60. In a marking-machine, the combination of a supporting member; a yieldable marking means; a system of linkage after the analogy of toggles connected to said marking means and to 4said supporting means and effective to cause the ends of said marking means to move in unison; and means for maintaining said toggles in Working position.

. 6l. Inamarking-machine,thecombination of a marking-'strip,means operative partly by said strip for Wrapping the same about au obl ject to be marked, and means operative by the object and coperative with the strip to effect the operation of the Wrapping means.

62. In a marking-machine, the combination of a marking-strip, means comprising pivoted members for wrappingthe strip about an object to be marked, said means being operative by said strip, and means operative by the object and cooperative with the strip to effect the operation of said Wrapping means.

63. In amarking-machine, the combination of a marking-strip, means comprising pivoted members for wrapping the strip about an object to be marked, and means operative by said strip connecting said pivoted members and operating them to move in unison.

64. Inamarking-machine, thecombination ofa marking-strip, means comprising pivoted members for Wrappingthe strip about an object to be marked, means operative by said strip connecting said pi-voted members and operating them to move in unison, and means operative by the object and coperative with saidstrip to effect the operation of said wrapping means.

65. In a marking-machine, the combination `of side members, a marking-strip carried thereby andoperating to draw said members inwardly to effect the wrapping of the strip about the object to be marked, and supplemental means cooperative with said strip for further Wrapping the latter about the object. 66. In a marking-machine, the combination of side members, a marking-strip carried thereby, a toggle-joint connecting said side members, and means operated by said joint to bring said members toward each other in the region thereof on which said markingstrip is carried.

FRANCIS H. RICHARDS. Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, C. E. VOSS. 

